Friday, March 5, 2010

U.S. to Clear Merger of Voting-Machine Makers - WSJ.com

WASHINGTON—The Justice Department is poised to allow the merger of the U.S.'s two largest makers of voting machines, but the combined company will be required to divest a key electronic voting system, said people familiar with the matter.

The deal, which was valued at $5 million, was too small to trigger a mandatory federal antitrust review. But it generated a wave of opposition from election officials and others worried the deal would deprive voting precincts of choice and leave the country's election system more vulnerable to failures.

Following months of negotiations, the Justice Department and ES&S are near agreement on a settlement that would involve the company selling Premier's newest voting system—called Assure 1.2—to a competitor, most likely Hart InterCivic Inc., said people familiar with the matter. ...